A Kumasi High Court has dismissed an injunction application filed by a woman claiming to be the lawful wife of the late Ghanaian highlife legend, Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, in a case that has drawn national attention ahead of the musician’s planned funeral.

The case, brought by Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, sought to restrain the family of the late singer and the Transitions Funeral Home from moving his body or proceeding with the funeral arrangements scheduled for 6 December, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The plaintiff’s legal team had argued that a civil marriage certificate from Germany, where the late musician once lived, proved that she was legally married to him and that, under Ghanaian law, a person cannot contract another marriage after a civil ordinance.

He told the court that “the deceased’s body remains under the authority of his immediate and extended family, including his wife and children,” urging the court to restrain the defendants.

Lawyers for the first defendant, Abusua Panin Kofi Owusu, countered that the plaintiff was no longer married to the musician, citing traditional dissolution rites that were “performed and witnessed by the gods” in line with customary practice. He said allowing the plaintiff to be presented as a wife would “bring shame and spiritual consequences to the royal family of Parkoso.”

The second respondent, Priscilla Ofori, popularly known as Odo Broni, also opposed the injunction, arguing that the purported German marriage certificate was invalid because it lacked a registrar’s signature and notarization.

After hearing arguments from all parties, the court ruled that the plaintiff does not possess the automatic right to determine the funeral arrangements of the late musician.

The court held that such authority rests with the wider family, in accordance with customary practice and established legal principles.

The court has ordered all parties to file all necessary legal processes by Friday (31 October), for a Case Management Conference scheduled for 14 November.

This will set the stage for the main hearing, which is slated to begin on 17 November.

The court expects the hearing to be completed by 21 November, with a final judgment on the broader case expected on 25 November.